Onoclea sensibilis
Sensitive Fern
a member of the Onoclea genus in the family Onocleaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Onocleaceae
- Genus
- Onoclea
- Growth rate
- vigorous
- Height
- 0.5 m
- Spread
- 0.5 m
Uses
Toxicity
Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Although we have found no reports of toxicity for this species, a number of ferns contain carcinogens so some caution is advisable[9]. Many ferns also contain thiaminase, an enzyme that robs the body of its vitamin B complex. In small quantities this enzyme will do no harm to people eating an adequate diet that is rich in vitamin B, though large quantities can cause severe health problems. The enzyme is destroyed by heat or thorough drying, so cooking the plant will remove the thiaminase[5].
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The young uncurled leaves, often called 'fiddleheads', are used as a vegetable or eaten raw[[3][6][7]. Remove the brown scales and then steam the leaves in very little water[11]. The young shoots have been sold as delicacies in Asian markets[11]. Root - cooked[2][4][6][7]. A famine food, it is only used in times of scarcity[11].
- Plant part
- Leaves
- Plant part
- Root
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Sensitive fern has not been much used medicinally. However, one native North American Indian tribe did employ it quite widely to treat various women's complaints[13]. An infusion of the root has been used to treat the pain following childbirth[13]. A decoction of the roots has been used to treat fertility in women, to give strength after childbirth, to start the menses, and to treat swellings, cramps and a sore abdomen[13]. An infusion of the whole plant, or just the root, has been applied externally to full breasts where the milk will not flow[13]. A poultice of the plant is used in treating deep cuts[13].
- Product or use
- Galactogogue
- Product or use
- Poultice
- Product or use
- Women's complaints
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
A decoction of the plant has been used as a hair wash to help prevent baldness[13]. This species has a freely-running rootstock and makes an effective ground cover plant[9][12]. Although it is deciduous its decomposing ferns make an effective weed suppressing mulch[9]. Plants should be spaced about 1 metre apart each way[10].
- Product or use
- Hair care
Ecology and functions
- Ecosystem niche
- Soil surface
Environment
- Range
- N. America - east of the Rockies to N.E. Asia.
- Habitat
- Wet grassy places, open damp woodland and occasionally on open hillsides[8].
- Light
- partial sun
- Shade tolerance
- permanent shade
- Water
- high
- Hardiness
- Zone 4+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- very acid, acid, neutral
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Spores - best sown as soon as they are ripe on the surface of a humus-rich sterilized soil. Keep the compost moist, preferably by putting a plastic bag over the pot. Pot on small clumps of plantlets as soon as they are large enough to handle and keep them in humid conditions until they are well established. Do not plant outside until the ferns are at least 2 years old. Division of underground rhizomes, October to March.
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Prefers a moist light soil in partial shade[8]. Requires a damp humus-rich site in partial shade with preferably only 2 - 3 hours of sun daily[9]. Plants require an abundance of water at the roots all year round[1] and they grow well in a bog or woodland garden, or on the water's edge where they may grow out over the water[9]. Requires a pH in the range 5 - 6.5[9]. Plants can colonize most situations that are not too dry and are sheltered from harsh winds[9]. A very hardy plant, the rootstock can tolerate temperatures down to about -30°c[9]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[12]. A very ornamental[1] and easily grown fern, spreading quite vigorously by means of a slender far-creeping rhizome when it is established[8]. It can become invasive in suitable conditions[9]. The fronds die quickly with the first autumn frosts[8], which is why the plant has gained its common name of the sensitive fern[9].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00
McPherson. A. and S. Wild Food Plants of Indiana. Indiana University Press 1977-00-00 ISBN 0-253-28925-4
Yanovsky. E. Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237. U.S. Depf of Agriculture.
Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest.
Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-460-12609-1
Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-449-90589-6
Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8
Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9